Northern Ireland

Council footing bill for maintaining security cordon following Primark fire

Belfast city council has revealed it is covering the cost of maintaining a cordon around the gutted Primark building as well as on site security. Picture by Mal McCann
Belfast city council has revealed it is covering the cost of maintaining a cordon around the gutted Primark building as well as on site security. Picture by Mal McCann Belfast city council has revealed it is covering the cost of maintaining a cordon around the gutted Primark building as well as on site security. Picture by Mal McCann

Belfast city council has revealed it is covering the cost of maintaining a security cordon around the gutted Primark building.

Belfast Mayor Deirdre Hargey said the council was managing the cordon as it had responsibility for public safety.

The cordons are being patrolled by teams of security staff who are working 12-hour shifts at the six locations.

The cordons have been in place since last month when a fire ripped through Bank Buildings leaving just a shell.

Fourteen businesses inside the cordon have been left unable to trade while shop owners outside the cordon have raised concerns that foot fall in the city has fallen drastically in the aftermath of the fire.

According to BBC NI, the council intends to recover the security costs - calculated at £100,000 - from Primark.

Belfast mayor Deirdre Hargey said: "We are engaging with Primark and working around that.

"We know they've given half a million pounds in a support package and we'll be continuing to work in partnership with them in the time ahead"

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